Gastrointestinal: cephalic phase of gastric secretion: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Gastrointestinal: cephalic phase of gastric secretion

Sample item

A patient with an oesophageal obstruction chews food and spits it out, and gastric acid secretion still rises. Which pathway is responsible?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Vagal stimulation of parietal cells and G cells

The sight, smell and taste of food activate the vagus nerve, which stimulates parietal cells directly by acetylcholine and G cells by gastrin-releasing peptide. This cephalic phase contributes a substantial part of the meal-related acid output and persists in sham feeding.

Option by option

  • A. Vagal stimulation of parietal cells and G cells (correct)

    Correct. This is the vagally mediated cephalic phase, which does not require food to reach the stomach.

  • B. Intestinal phase hormones from the duodenum

    The intestinal phase requires chyme in the duodenum.

  • C. Distension of the antrum by food

    Antral distension requires food in the stomach, which does not occur with sham feeding.

  • D. Sympathetic inhibition of the stomach

    Sympathetic input does not stimulate the stomach.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Vagal stimulation of parietal cells and G cells. The sight, smell and taste of food activate the vagus nerve, which stimulates parietal cells directly by acetylcholine and G cells by gastrin-releasing peptide.

Why is "Intestinal phase hormones from the duodenum" not the answer?

The intestinal phase requires chyme in the duodenum.

Why is "Distension of the antrum by food" not the answer?

Antral distension requires food in the stomach, which does not occur with sham feeding.

Why is "Sympathetic inhibition of the stomach" not the answer?

Sympathetic input does not stimulate the stomach.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal: cephalic phase of gastric secretion in Physiology. This cephalic phase contributes a substantial part of the meal-related acid output and persists in sham feeding.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastrointestinal: cephalic phase of gastric secretion?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.